Vancouver, B.C. (May 13, 2002) -- ARC'TERYX Equipment Inc., designers and manufacturers of technical outerwear, backpacks, and climbing harnesses, proudly announces two additions to its Ascent Athlete Team for this season.

One of the more notable additions is 32 year-old Evgeny Krivosheitsev, the 2002 Ice Climbing World Champion from Odessa, Ukraine. Krivosheitsev, while staking claim after claim on some of the most difficult ice routes in the world, is also a master on the rock and has placed consecutively in the top 3 places in the World Cup of climbing. He is best known for his ability to ascend some of the most difficult routes with unprecedented speed and agility. His contagious positive attitude, combined with his superb climbing talent makes Evgeny an excellent ambassador for ARC1TERYX.

Also added to the ARC'TERYX Ascent Team roster is Canadian rock-star, Matt Maddaloni, well known across North America for his ground up first ascents of aid walls and long free lines. Some of Maddaloni's feats include the first ascent solo of "Against the Grain" (VI V2 A4-) in the Nangma Valley of Pakistan last August and the first ascent of "The Midnight Watch" in the Gibbs Fjord, Baffin Island. A recent recipient of the acclaimed Mugs Stump Award, Maddaloni has now set his sights toward a fast and light ascent of the unclimbed Sharksfin route on Meru Central in the Himalayas; attempted several times but never claimed. Maddaloni is hopefully to complete the route this September.

"We added these top-notch climbers to our outstanding team of athletes because they represent the core roots of our brand and the integrity of the sport. Our goal from the beginning has been to develop the best clothing and equipment program for the toughest mountain environments," said Bob Holding, Senior VP Sales and Marketing at ARC'TERYX.

Krivosheitsev and Maddaloni join other ARC'TERYX Ascent Team members; Raphael Slawinski, Scott Milton, Sean Isaac, Kim Csizmazia, Grant Statham, Conny Amelunxen, Rich Prohaska, John Chilton, Peggy Foster, Nick Sagar, Jia Condon, Chris Lindner, Jack Roberts, Noah Bigwood, Jack Tackle, Timy Fairfield, Sam Lightener, Fred Nicole, Alan Dennis, Peter Plattner, and Laurence Monnoyeur.

"These athletes will help increase the brand awareness for the program and also provide the ARC'TERYX design team with valuable product feedback," Holding added.

ARC'TERYX has gained international recognition as the undisputed leader of mountaineering and climbing equipment for the design, innovation and construction of its1 technical outerwear, backpacks and harnesses.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff